Black Country food bank in appeal for donations
A food bank is appealing for donations to help replenish its shelves after demand soared during the school summer holidays.
Black Country Food Bank in Brierley Hil helps vulnerable individuals and families in crisis by delivering three days’ worth of emergency food supplies.
Between April and May, the foodbank provided 113,939 meals for children and adults – an 11 per cent increase compared with the same period last year.
But the increase in people seeking help has left supplies running low and the charity is now appealing for schools, churches and other organisations to support the food bank during their traditional harvest time events.
Black Country Foodbank office manager Jen Coleman said: “The pandemic has changed BCFB in so many ways. We are serving a much wider group of clients including those self-isolating and shielding but also the elderly, those with children with disabilities who are finding the new ways of living extremely difficult. We have taken some pretty desperate calls from people who are lonely, isolated and struggling on low income.
“Thankfully we have been able to help through our 20-plus food banks across Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall but we have also to help those who haven’t been able to leave their homes we have been delivering across Dudley which has helped us to reach so many more people.
“The generosity of the public never ceases to amaze us and we have been blown away by how many people have adapted to enable donations to continue.
Challenging
"Even though some of our usual collection points have struggled we have had people collecting in their streets where they live, from their families, it has been incredible. The community has really worked together and we are so grateful for all the support.”
“Harvest is one of the most important times of the year for Black Country Foodbank as we restock our shelves after the demands of the summer holidays.
"This year, more than ever, we are hoping for support from everyone as we navigate a very different and difficult landscape. The past few months have been incredibly challenging for families but the next few months could get even worse with increased unemployment and the financial pressures that Christmas and the winter months bring. Please support us if you can,” she added.
Dudley Council for Voluntary Service (DCVS) worked closely with the Black Country Foodbank during lockdown to support residents struggling financially. A team of 200 redeployed staff co-ordinated large-scale food distribution efforts – taking charge of stock, co-ordinating deliveries, packing up parcels and delivering them to vulnerable residents.
The food bank team is particularly keen to receive donations of tinned meat such as corned beef, ham or meatballs, marmalade, jam, long-life fruit juice in one litre cartons, bottles of fruit squash, small packets of breakfast cereal, tins of macaroni cheese, tins of vegetable or chicken curry, deodorants, flannels, shampoo, conditioner and single toothbrushes.
Schools, churches and other organisations can find out more about how to help at www.blackcountryfoodbank.org.uk
